WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/REG/20 
16 October 2009 
 (09-5105) 
  
  
 
REPORT (2009) OF THE COMMITTEE ON  REGIONAL TRADE  AGREEMENTS  
TO THE GENERAL COUNCIL 
 
Chairman:  Mr. Detlev Brauns (Germany
) 
 
 
 
I. INTRODUCTION 
1. At its second meeting in April 2009, the Co mmittee on Regional Trade Agreements (CRTA) 
re-elected Mr. Detlev Brauns (Germany) as Chairman of the CRTA. 
2. During 2009, the Committee held four sessions (i n March, April, September and October).  
The minutes of those meetings are listed in Attachment 1.  Four sessions are foreseen in 2010.   
II. OBSERVER STATUS 
3. The Committee agreed to continue the granti ng of observer status in the CRTA to the 
Latin American Integration Association (LAIA), on an ad hoc  basis.  No decision was taken with 
respect to the requests for observer status lis ted in document WT/REG/W/11/Add.3, pending the 
definition of guidelines by the General Council. 
III. CONSIDERATION OF REGIONAL TRADE AGREEMENTS 
4. As of 15 October 2009, 457 regional trade agreements (RTAs), counting goods and services 
notifications separately, have been notified to the GATT/WTO, 266 of which are currently in force.1  
These figures correspond to 364 integrated RTAs (goods and services together), of which 186 are 
currently in force. Of the ag reements in force, 162 were notified under GATT Article XXIV;  
27 under the Enabling Clause2,  and 77 under GATS Article V. 
5. During 2009, the Secretariat distributed factua l presentations of 28 RTAs (counting goods and 
services separately), 22 of which were used as th e basis for RTAs' consideration in the CRTA during 
2009.3  A total of 67 RTAs have been considered  under the Transparency Mechanism since its 
adoption in December 2006.4  There is a remaining backlog of 95 RTAs, comprised of 92 RTAs for 
which the factual presentation is under preparation and 3 RTAs for which the factual presentation is 
on hold (see Attachment 2). 
                                                      
1 These figures correspond to notifications of ne w RTAs, as well as accessions to existing RTAs.   
2 Differential and More Favourable Treatment, Reci procity and Fuller Partic ipation of Developing 
Countries , Decision of the GATT CONTRACTING PARTIES of 28 November 1979. 
3 The FTAs between Pakistan and Sri Lanka and between Pakistan an d Malaysia (goods aspects) were 
considered in the Committee on Trad e and Development.  The Enlargem ent of the European Union to 
27 Member States (goods and services), and the Ukraine-Moldova and Ukraine-FYROM FTAs (goods aspects) will be considered in the first Session of the CRTA in 2010.   
4 64 have been considered in the CRTA and three in the CTD. WT/REG/20 
Page 2  
 
  6. According to paragraph 22 of the TM, the Secretar iat is to prepare a factual abstract for those 
RTAs for which the CRTA had concluded the fact ual examination by 31 December 2006 and for 
RTAs notified to the WTO under the Enabling Clause.  Fifty factual abstracts have been prepared and 
posted on the RTA Database ;  28 are still awaiting comments from the parties. (see Attachment 3). 
IV. EARLY ANNOUNCEMENTS 
7. Paragraph 1 of the TM provides for Members par ticipating in new negotiations and parties to 
a newly signed RTA to provide information to the S ecretariat, to be posted on the WTO website.  In 
2009, a total of 11 early announcements have b een received from Members, 7 for RTAs under 
negotiation and 4 for newly signe d RTAs (see Attachment 4). 
V. SUBSEQUENT NOTIFICATION AND REPORTING  
8. Paragraph 14 of the TM provides for changes affe cting the implementation of an RTA, or the 
operation of an already implemented RTA to be notif ied as soon as possible after such changes occur.  
Such communications are to be made available on the WTO website.  As of 15 October 2009, 
seven notifications made during 2009 have b een received and posted on the RTA Database.
5  
9. Paragraph 15 of the TM provides for parties to  an RTA to submit a short written report on the 
realization of the liberalization commitments in the RTA as originally notified at the end of the RTA's 
implementation period.  No such re ports were submitted during 2009. 
VI. DATABASE ON RTAS 
10. Paragraph 21 of the TM provides for the Secr etariat to establish and maintain an updated 
electronic database on individual RTAs.  The databa se was launched in Janua ry 2009 and is available 
on the WTO public website.   
VII. PROCEDURES TO IMPROVE AND FACILITATE THE EXAMINATION PROCESS 
11. During the Committee's 54th Session the Chairman indicated th at following a request by the 
Chairman of the General Council to consult with  Members on ways to improve the timeliness and 
completeness of notifications, he was in the process of contacting those Members party to non-
notified RTAs to discuss when and how these agreements could be notified. 
VIII. SYSTEMIC IMPLICATIONS OF REGIONAL TRADE AGREEMENTS AND 
INITIATIVES FOR THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM AND THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THEM 
12. At its 52
nd Session in March 2009, Members agreed to begin considering RTAs involving 
non-Members under the Transparency Mechanism's pr ocedures:  RTAs notified since 14 December 
2006, including future notifications, are to be ta ken up before the others – taking into account 
practical considerations such as the availability of data and the Secretariat's established work 
programme.  The consideration of such agreements  by the Committee does not have any implication 
for the views or positions of any Member with resp ect to the consistency of that RTA with the WTO 
rules and is without prejudice to the rights and obligations of Members under the WTO Agreements, 
as clearly stated in paragraphs 1 and 5 of the TM Decision. 
 
                                                      
5 EFTA-Israel;  EFTA-Mexico;  China-Hong Kong, China;  Chin a-Macao, China;  EFTA-Chile.  WT/REG/20 
 Page 3 
 
 
  IX. FINAL REMARKS 
13. Although considerable progress has been made in the preparation of factual presentations, the 
Committee continues to experience so me difficulties in adhering to its work programme.  This is due 
to a number of factors:  delays in the receipt of statistical data from parties, data discrepancies in Members' submissions, and delays in the receipt of comments from parties.  The Secretariat is 
working actively with the parties concerned in an effort to overcome these difficulties. 
14. The work programme of the Secretariat was al so considerably enlarged in 2009 with the 
addition of 41 agreements between WTO Members and non-Members for which a factual presentation 
is to be prepared. WT/REG/20 
Page 4  
 
  ATTACHMENT 1 
 
Minutes of the Meetings held in 2009
 
  
Fifty-second Session – 4 March 2009
 
  WT/REG/M/52 Consideration of RTAs involving non-Members.  Fifty-third Session – 20 April 2009
 
 
 WT/REG/M/53   WT/REG231/M/1 Southern African Customs Union, Goods 
 WT/REG170/M/4 Enlargement of the European Union to 25 Member States, 
Services 
  WT/REG217/M/1 EFTA States – Republic of Korea, Goods and Services  WT/REG216/M/1 Japan – Malaysia, Goods and Services  WT/REG237/M/1 Pakistan – China, Goods  WT/REG203/M/1 Turkey – Tunisia, Goods  
 
Fifty-Fourth Session – 15 September 2009
 
  WT/REG/M/54  
 WT/REG265/M/1 Pakistan – Malaysia, Services 
 WT/REG210/M/1 Republic of Korea – Singapore, Goods and Services 
 WT/REG240/M/1 Turkey – Albania, Goods  WT/REG244/M/1 Brunei Darussalam - Japan, Goods and Services  WT/REG241/M/1 Japan – Indonesia, Goods and Services  WT/REG171/M/1 Armenia – Ukraine, Goods 
 WT/REG121/M/1 Georgia – Ukraine, Goods 
 WT/REG74/M/1 Kyrgyz Republic – Ukraine, Goods  WT/REG239/M/1 Chile – Panama, Goods and Services  WT/REG212/M/1 Mexico – El Salvador, Goods and Services  WT/REG213/M/1 Mexico – Honduras, Goods and Services 
 WT/REG214/M/1 Mexico – Guatemala, Goods and Services 
  Fifty-Fifth Session – 15 October 2009 (to be issued)
 
  WT/REG/M/55 Draft Report (2009) of the CRTA to the General Council. 
 
  
 
  WT/REG/20 
 Page 5 
 
 
  ATTACHMENT 2 
 
A. RTAs in force for which the "factual examin ation" was completed prior to the adoption 
of the TM Decision (66): 
ANZCERTA (S) EC-FYROM (G ) Japan-Singapore (G&S) 
Canada-Chile (G&S) EC-Israel (G) Kyrgyz Rep.-Armenia (G) 
Canada-Costa Rica (G) EC-Jorda n (G) Kyrgyz Rep.-Moldova (G) 
Canada-Israel (G) EC-M exico (G) MERCOSUR (G) 
CARICOM (S) EC-Morocco (G) Mexico-Israel (G) 
Chile-Costa Rica (G&S) EC -Tunisia (G) NAFTA (G&S) 
Chile-El Salvador (G&S) EC-Turke y (G) New Zealand-Singapore (G&S) 
Chile-Mexico (G&S) EFTA (S ) Norway-Faroe Isl. (G) 
Chile- Korea (G&S) EFTA-Croatia  (G) Singapore-Australia (G&S) 
China-Hong Kong, China (G&S) EFTA-FYR OM (G) Switzerland-Faroe Isl. (G) 
China-Macao, China (G&S) EFTA-Is rael (G) Turkey-Croatia (G) 
EC (Treaty of Rome) (S)  EFTA-Jordan (G) Turkey-FYROM (G) 
EC-P. of Andorra (G) EFTA-Mex ico (G)  Turkey-Israel (G) 
EC-Chile (G) EFTA-Morocco (G ) United States-Chile (G&S) 
EC-Croatia (G) EFTA-Singapore (G &S) United States-Jordan (G&S) 
EC Enlargement (15) (G&S) European Econo mic Area (S) United States-Singapore (G&S) 
EC Enlargement (25) (G)1 Georgia-Armenia (G)  
B. RTAs for which a factual presentation has been circulated (67): 
Armenia-Moldova (G) Georgia-Uk raine (G) Panama-Chile (G&S) 
Armenia-Ukraine (G) Guatemala-Mexico  (G&S) Panama-El Salvador (G&S) 
Brunei Darussalam-Japan (G&S) Honduras-M exico (G&S) Panama-Singapore (G&S) 
Chile-China (G) India-Singapore (G&S) SACU (G) 
Chile-Japan (G&S) Japan-Indonesia (G&S) SADC (G) 
EC-Albania (G) Japan-Malaysia (G&S) Thailand-Australia (G&S) 
EC-Chile (S) Japan-Mexico (G &S) Thailand-New Zealand (G) 
EC (25) Enlargement (S) Jordan-Si ngapore (G&S) Trans-Pacific SEP (G&S) 
EC (27) Enlargement (G&S) Korea, Re p. of-Chile (G) Turkey-Albania (G) 
EFTA-Chile (G&S) Korea,  Rep. of-Singapore (G&S) Turkey-Morocco (G) 
EFTA-Egypt (G) Kyrgyz Republic-U kraine (G) Turkey-Tunisia (G) 
EFTA-Rep. of Korea (G&S) ME RCOSUR (S) Ukraine-FYROM (G) 
EFTA-Tunisia (G) Pakistan-China (G) Ukraine-Moldova (G) 
Egypt-Turkey (G)* Pakistan-Malaysia (G&S)* United States -Australia (G&S) 
El Salvador-Mexico (G&S) Pakistan-Sri Lanka (G)* Unites States-Morocco (G&S) 
C. RTAs for which a factual presentation is under preparation (92): 
Armenia-Kazakhstan (G) EC-Egypt (G ) Kyrgyz Republic-Uzbekistan (G) 
Armenia-Russian Federation (G) EC-Faroe  Islands (G) Mexico-Nicaragua (G&S) 
Armenia-Turkmenistan (G) EC-FYROM (S) Nicaragua-Chinese Taipei (G&S) 
ASEAN-China (S) EC-Lebanon (G) PICTA (G)* 
Australia-Chile (G&S) EC-Montenegro  (G) Panama-Costa Rica (G&S) 
Canada-EFTA (G) EC-Palestinian Authorit y (G) Panama-Chine se Taipei (G&S) 
Canada-Peru (G&S) EC-South Africa (G ) Pan-Arab Free Trade Area (G) 
CEFTA Enlargement (G) EFTA-Leb anon (G) Peru-Singapore (G&S) 
CEFTA-Accession of Croatia (G) EFTA-P alestinian Authority (G) SAFTA (G)* 
Chile-Colombia (G&S) EFTA-SACU (G) Turkey-Bosnia and Herzegovina (G) 
Chile-India (G)* EAEC (G) Turkey-Georgia (G) 
China-New Zealand (G&S) Geor gia-Azerbaijan (G) Turkey-Palestinian Authority (G) 
China-Singapore (G&S) Georgia-Kazakhstan (G) Turkey-Syria (G) 
Common Economic Zone (G) Georgia-Russian Federation (G) Ukraine-Azerbaijan (G) 
CIS (G) Georgia-Turkmenistan (G) Ukraine-Belarus (G) 
Costa Rica-Mexico (G&S) Gu lf Cooperation Council (G) Ukraine-Kazakhstan (G) 
Dominican Rep.-Central America-
United States (CAFTA-DR) (G&S) Iceland-Faroe Islands (G&S) Uk raine-Russian Federation (G) 
                                                      
1 Once a satisfactory resolution of outstanding issues  is  reached, the factual examination of this 
agreement will be deemed concluded. WT/REG/20 
Page 6  
 
  EC-Albania (S) India-Bhutan (G)*  
EC-Algeria (G) Japan-Philippines (G&S) Ukraine-Tajikistan (G) 
EC-Bosnia and Herzegovina (G) Japan-Sw itzerland (G&S) Ukraine-Uzbekistan (G) 
EC-Cameroon (G) Japan-Thailand (G &S) Ukraine-Turkmenistan (G) 
EC-CARIFORUM (G&S) Japan-Viet Nam (G&S) United States-Bahrain (G&S) 
EC-Côte d'Ivoire (G) Kyrgyz Republic-K azakhstan (G) United States-Oman (G&S) 
EC-Croatia (S) Kyrgyz Republic-Russian  Fed. (G) United States-Peru (G&S) 
 
 
D. RTAs for which the factual presentation is on hold (3)2: 
EC-Mexico (S)   
EFTA-Mexico (S)   
Thailand-New Zealand (S)   
 
 
*  The Committee on Trade and Development, convening in dedicated session, is the responsible body for these 
RTAs. 
                                                      
2 RTAs covering trade in services for which specifi c commitments have yet to be agreed between the 
parties.   WT/REG/20 
 Page 7 
 
 
  ATTACHMENT 3 
A. RTAs for which a factual abstract has been completed (50): 
ASEAN-China (G) EC-Croatia (G) EEA (S) 
ANZCERTA (S) EC-FYROM (G) Faroe Islands-Norway (G) 
Canada-Costa Rica (G) EC-Israel (G) Faroe Is lands- Switzerland (G) 
Canada-Israel (G) EC-Jorda n (G) Israel-Mexico (G) 
CARICOM (S) EC-Mexico (G) Japan-Singapore (G&S) 
Chile-Costa Rica (G&S ) EC-Morocco (G) Kyrgyz Republic-Moldova (G) 
Chile-El Salvador (G&S) EC-Tunisi a (G) New Zealand-Singapore (G) 
Chile-Mexico (G&S) EC-Turkey (G) Singapore-Australia (G&S) 
China-Hong Kong, China (G) EFTA-C roatia (G) Turkey-Croatia (G) 
China-Macao, China (G&S) EFTA -Israel (G) Turkey-Israel (G) 
COMESA (G) EFTA-Jordan (G ) United States-Chile (S) 
EC (15) Enlargement (S)1 EFTA-Mexico (G) Unite d States-Jordan (G) 
EC-Andorra (G) EFTA-Singapore (G ) United States-Singapore (G) 
EC-Chile (G) EFTA (S)  
B. RTAs for which a factual abstract  has been sent for comments (28): 
APTA-Accession of China (G) EFTA-FYR OM (G) New Zealand-Singapore (S) 
Canada-Chile (G&S) EFTA- Morocco (G) NAFTA (G&S) 
CEMAC (G) EFTA-Singapore (S) SAPTA (G) 
China-Hong Kong, China (S) Georgia-Armenia (G) Turkey-FYROM (G) 
EAC (G) India-Sri Lanka (G ) United States-Chile (G) 
EC Treaty (S) Korea-Chile (S ) United States-Jordan (S) 
EC (15) Enlargement (S) Kyrgyz Republic -Armenia (G) United States-Singapore (S) 
EC (25) Enlargement (G) MSG (G) WAEMU/UEMOA (G) 
ECOWAS (G) MERCOSUR (G)  
   
 
  
 
                                                     
 
1 This Factual Abstract takes into account th e EC (9), (10) and (12) Enlargements (S) WT/REG/20 
Page 8  
 
  ATTACHMENT 4 
Early Announcements 
 
 
Agreement Date 
announced by 
Parties Date 
Negotiations 
commenced: Date of 
Signature Subsequently 
notified 
EC – Ukraine 29-Sep-09 18-Feb-08     
Canada – Colombia 01-Sep-09   21-Nov-08   
Canada – Jordan* 07-Sep-09   28-Jun-09   
EFTA – Albania 10-Jun-09 12-May-09     
EFTA – Serbia 10-Jun-09 28-Apr-09     
BIMSTEC  
[Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, 
Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand] 30-Apr-09 07-Sep-04     
EFTA – Ukraine 24-Apr-09 21-Apr-09     
Japan – Switzerland* 10-Mar-09   19-Feb-09 WT/REG273/N/1 
S/C/N/512 
China – Norway 16-Feb-09 18-Sep-08     
Ukraine - Singapore 15-Jan-09 08-May-07     
EFTA – Colombia* 14-Jan-09   25-Nov-08   
EFTA – India 08-Dec-08 06-Oct-08     
Australia – Chile* 13-Nov-08   30-Jul-08 WT/REG263/N/1 
S/C/N/484 
Canada – EFTA* 28-Jul-08   26-Jan-08 WT/REG271/N/1  
Canada – Jordan* 30-Jun-08 20-Feb-08     
Australia - Malaysia 25-Feb-08 19-May-05     
Australia - GCC 22-Jan-08 30-Jul-07     
Australia - China 10-Dec-07 23-May-05     
Australia - Chile* 06-Dec-07 07-Aug-07   WT/REG263/N/1 
S/C/N/484 
United States - Peru Trade Promotion 
Agreement 16-Nov-07   12-Apr-06 WT/REG260/N/1 
S/C/N/473 
European Communities - India 25-Sep-07 28-Jun-07     
United States - Oman 11-Sep-07   19-Jan-06 WT/REG259/N/1 
S/C/N/472 
United States - Panama 11-Sep-07   28-Jun-07   
Canada - CARICOM 23-Aug-07 19-Jul-07     
Canada - Colombia - Peru 23-Aug-07 07-Jun-07   WT/REG270/N/1**
S/C/N/508** 
Canada - Dominican Republic 23-Aug-07 07-Jun-07     
Canada - EFTA* 23-Aug-07 14-Oct-98   WT/REG271/N/1  
Canada - El Salvador -Guatemala - 
Honduras -Nicaragua 23-Aug-07 21-Nov-01     
Canada – Singapore 23-Aug-07 21-Oct-01     
Rep. of Korea - ASEAN 10-Jul-07 30-Nov-04     
Rep. of Korea - Canada 10-Jul-07 15-Jul-05     
Rep. of Korea - European Communities 10-Jul-07 06-May-07     
Rep. of Korea - India 10-Jul-07 07-Feb-06     
Rep. of Korea - Mexico 10-Jul-07 07-Feb-06     
Rep. of Korea - United States 10-Jul-07   30-Jun-07   
Japan - GCC  02-Jul-07 01-Sep-06     
Japan - ASEAN  02-Jul-07 01-Apr-05     
Japan - Australia  02-Jul-07 01-Apr-07     
Japan - Brunei Darussalam  02-Jul-07   18-Jun-07 WT/REG244/N/1  
S/C/N/466 
Japan – Chile 02-Jul-07   27-Mar-07 WT/REG234/N/1  
S/C/N/398 
Japan - India  02-Jul-07 01-Jan-07     
Japan - Indonesia  02-Jul-07 01-Jul-05   WT/REG241/N/1  
S/C/N/462  WT/REG/20 
 Page 9 
 
 
  Agreement Date 
announced by 
Parties Date 
Negotiations 
commenced: Date of 
Signature Subsequently 
notified 
Japan - Philippines  02-Jul-07   09-Sep-06 WT/REG257/N/1 
S/C/N/470 
Japan - Rep. of Korea 02-Jul-07 01-Dec-03     
Japan – Thailand 02-Jul-07   03-Apr-07 WT/REG235/N/1 
S/C/N/419 
Japan - Vietnam  02-Jul-07 01-Jan-07   WT/REG275/N/1 
S/C/N/513 
EFTA – Colombia* 14-Jun-07 04-Jun-07     
Japan – Switzerland* 08-Jun-07 14-May-07   WT/REG273/N/1 
S/C/N/512 
EFTA - Peru 06-Jun-07 04-Jun-07     
EFTA - Egypt 11-Apr-07   27-Jan-07 WT/REG232/N/1 
 
* Early Announced twice - being unde r negotiation and then signed. 
** Canada – Peru only. 
 
__________